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Short Bowel Syndrome

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

ImportantIt is possible that the main title of the report Short Bowel Syndrome is not the name you expected.

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Summary

Short bowel syndrome is a complex disease that occurs due to the physical loss or the loss of function of a portion of the small and/or large intestine. Consequently, individuals with short bowel syndrome often have a reduced ability to absorb nutrients such as fats, carbohydrates (sugars) vitamins, minerals, trace elements and fluids (malabsorption). The specific symptoms and severity of short bowel syndrome vary from one person to another. Diarrhea is common, often severe and can cause dehydration, which can even be life threatening. Short bowel syndrome can lead to malnutrition, unintended weight loss and additional symptoms may be due to the loss of essential vitamins and minerals. There is no cure, but the disorder usually can be treated effectively. However, in severe cases, short bowel syndrome can lead to severe, disabling and life-threatening complications. Short bowel syndrome is most commonly associated with the surgical removal (resection) of half or more of the small intestine. Such surgery is performed to treat intestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease, injury or trauma to the small bowel, or congenital birth defects. The presence or absence of the large intestine (colon) also plays an important role in the genesis and/or treatment of the short bowel syndrome.

Introduction

Through the years, the definition of short bowel syndrome in the medical literature has varied. This has led to confusion. Although some medical sources seem to reserve the name short bowel syndrome for cases caused by surgical resection of a portion of the small intestine, other sources have noted that the disorder can result from any disease, injury or condition that hinders or prevents the proper function of the small intestine even if the length of the bowel is unaffected. Short bowel syndrome may be classified as a cause or subcategory of intestinal failure. In rare cases, infants are born with a short bowel (congenital short bowel syndrome). Although these congenital cases are often associated with malrotation of the small intestine, the exact cause of congenital short bowel syndrome is unknown.

Supporting Organizations

American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition

8630 Fenton Street

Suite 412

Silver Springs, MD 20910

Tel: (301)587-6315

Fax: (301)587-2365

Email: aspen@nutr.org

Website: http://www.nutritioncare.org/

Association of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Inc. (AGMD)

12 Roberts Drive

Bedford, MA 1730

Tel: (781)275-1300

Fax: (781)275-1304

Email: digestive.motility@gmail.com.

Website: http://www.agmd-gimotility.org

Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America

386 Park Avenue South

17th Floor

New York, NY 10016-7374

USA

Tel: (212)685-3440

Fax: (212)779-4098

Tel: (800)932-2423

Email: info@ccfa.org

Website: http://www.ccfa.org

Digestive Disease National Coalition

507 Capitol Court, NE

Suite 200

Washington, DC 20002

Tel: (202)544-7497

Fax: (202)546-7105

Email: ddnc@hmcw.org

Website: http://www.ddnc.org

International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

700 W. Virginia St., 201

Milwaukee, WI 53217

USA

Tel: (414)964-1799

Fax: (414)964-7176

Tel: (888)964-2001

Email: iffgd@iffgd.org

Website: http://www.iffgd.org

Oley Foundation

43 New Scotland Ave., MC-28

Albany Medical Center

Albany, NY 12208-3478

USA

Tel: (518)262-5079

Fax: (518)262-5528

Tel: (800)776-6539

Email: dahlr@mail.amc.edu

Website: http://www.oley.org

SBS Cure Project

P.O. Box 982

Lakeville, MN 55044-0982

Website: http://www.sbscure.org/

Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation, Inc.

285 South 68th Street Place

Suite 307

Lincoln, NE 68510

Tel: (402)770-0554

Fax: (402)323-3399

Tel: (347)871-2386

Email: ajablonski@shortbowelfoundation.org

Website: http://www.shortbowelfoundation.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). For a full-text version of this report, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

Last Updated: 7/4/2014Copyright 2014 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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